HSLIC is home to a breadth of historical materials.
The New Mexico Health Historical Collection documents the history of health and healthcare in the state and the Southwest by collecting and preserving materials that include oral histories, organizational records, rare books, photographs, artifacts and a monograph collection.
Please start with our How to Use Special Collections research guide. The A-Z Alphabetical/Subject Guide to HSLIC Special Collections can help you orient yourself to the scope and breadth of our unique holdings. Search finding aids to our collections—as well as those at other regional archival repositories—in New Mexico Archives Online. Review digital content from our collections at New Mexico Digital Collections, UNM/HSC Digital Repository, and Archive-It. You can also schedule an archivist consultation during office hours, every Tuesday, 1–3pm.
You may request materials from the New Mexico Health Historical Collection by contacting Special Collections staff. During regular operations, please allow up to 5 business days for staff to gather materials. For more information about access to Special Collections materials, visit our FAQ page.
Researchers may request photocopies or digital copies of material by contacting the archivist. Some materials cannot be copied due to the physical condition of the material or other restrictions. All copy requests are subject to the final approval of the New Mexico Health Historical Collection staff.
Cameras, video equipment, and sound recording equipment may be used in accordance with HSC policy and with special permission. Researchers are also welcome to use an overhead scanner provided by the department or to bring their own.
*Afternoon milk break at Valmora Industrial Sanatorium, PH 124, HSLIC Historical Collections, circa 1922.
The Oral History Program began in 1982 to record the work experiences of the most senior and longest-practicing medical doctors in New Mexico. The ongoing program contains approximately 160 accessible transcripts of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals. Visit our Oral History Collection Guide for more information.
